Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the release of heat by a temperature control unit are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a heat release condition of the temperature control unit. This method also includes determining, via a controller, whether to release the heat generated by the temperature control unit to an ambient environment outside of the internal space based on the heat release condition. Also, this method includes operating a HVAC circuit of the temperature control unit in a heat release mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the temperature control unit is to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space. Further, this method includes operating the HVAC circuit of the temperature control in a heat storage mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the HVAC unit is not to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space.

Abstract: A method of defrosting a transcritical vapor compression system having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant during a cooling mode, an expansion valve for decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for cooling a space during the cooling mode. The method includes attaining a superheated refrigerant condition in a defrost mode of the transcritical vapor compression system and defrosting the second heat exchanger in the defrost mode by directing the superheated refrigerant to the second heat exchanger without bypassing the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electrically powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) are disclosed. The TRU may include a refrigeration circuit that includes an electrically powered compressor, an evaporator equipped with an electrically powered blower, and a gas cooler equipped with an electrically powered blower. The TRU may also include a control circuit and a power regulator unit. The power regulator unit may be configured to supply variable DC and/or AC outputs to power components of the refrigeration circuit, and the control circuit may be configured to regulate the variable DC and AC outputs of the power regulator unit so as to control the operation of the TRU. The electrically powered TRU may be configured to use R774 as refrigerant.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.

Abstract: Examples of an electrically powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) are disclosed. In one example, the TRU may include a refrigeration circuit that includes an electrically powered compressor, an evaporator equipped with an electrically powered blower, and a gas cooler equipped with an electrically powered blower. The TRU may also include a control circuit and a power regulator unit. The power regulator unit may be configured to supply variable DC and/or AC outputs to power components of the refrigeration circuit, and the control circuit may be configured to regulate the variable DC and AC outputs of the power regulator unit so as to control the operation of the TRU. The electrically powered TRU may be configured to use R774 as refrigerant.

Abstract: A method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigeration circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a compressor suction parameter at a suction line to a compressor of the refrigeration circuit. The method also includes determining a compressor suction parameter threshold. Also, the method includes initiating a defrost mode of the refrigeration circuit when the compressor suction parameter is less than or equal to the compressor suction parameter threshold.

Abstract: A HVAC system for a vehicle that includes a propulsion system, a frame, a passenger compartment, and a door coupled to the frame. The HVAC system includes a refrigeration circuit that selectively controls the temperature of the passenger compartment based on a sensed temperature within the passenger compartment. The refrigeration circuit includes an exterior heat exchanger, a first air moving device coupled to the exterior heat exchanger, an interior heat exchanger, a second air moving device coupled to the interior heat exchanger, and a compressor. The HVAC system also includes a controller that is operable to detect a condition of the vehicle that includes at least one of a position of the door, a location of the vehicle, and a load of the propulsion system. The controller is programmed to adjust the refrigeration circuit in response to the sensed passenger compartment temperature and the detected vehicle condition.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes a frame and a cabin mounted to the frame. The cabin includes a roof and a passenger zone defining a passenger zone length. An air cleaning unit includes an air cleaner housing mounted to the roof. The air cleaning unit is operable to draw in air through an inlet, through an air cleaning device, and discharge a flow of cleaned air out of an outlet. An air conditioning unit includes an air conditioner housing separate from the air cleaner housing. The air conditioning unit is operable to draw in air through an inlet, through an air conditioning device, and discharge a flow of conditioned air out of an outlet. The outlet of the air conditioning device is in communication with a duct system to direct the flow of conditioned air to the cabin substantially evenly along the passenger zone length.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thermally insulated container is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more heat accumulators. Each of the thermal accumulators includes a plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules. Each of the longitudinal modules includes a casing forming a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive a phase change material. A first wall of the casing includes a substantially flat surface and a second wall includes a heat transfer enhanced surface portion. The longitudinal modules include a heat exchanger having at least a portion disposed within the cavity that is configured to supply a heat transfer fluid. The plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules are securely connected to each other and are in thermal communication with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for the storage, transport and distribution of refrigerated or frozen goods, in particular for thermally insulated containers of refrigerated vehicles, cold rooms and the like, including one or more thermal storage devices, each including a housing defining a cavity for holding a phase change material. The cavity contains a heat exchanger that may be supplied with a heat exchange fluid. The housing includes a substantially flat wall portion and a heat transfer enhanced wall portion. The apparatus includes ventilator in communication with the thermal storage device.

Abstract: A method for charging a phase change material (PCM) of a thermal accumulator provided in a refrigerated transport unit is provided. The refrigerated transport unit includes a prime mover to move the refrigerated transport unit, a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a heat transfer fluid circuit. The heat transfer fluid circuit has a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device and a PCM heat exchanger. The method requires monitoring for, via a controller, a braking signal from a braking sensor of the refrigerated transport unit. Also, the method includes directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the TRS when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor. Further, the method includes the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator via the heat transfer fluid circuit when the energy generated by the prime mover is directed to the TRS.

Abstract: A method for air temperature control within a cargo compartment of a transport unit using a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a thermal accumulator having a phase change material (PCM) provided therein is provided. The thermal accumulator is disposed in a thermal accumulator compartment and the cargo compartment is separated from the thermal accumulator compartment via a climate controlled barrier. The method includes a controller receiving, via one or more temperature sensors, temperature data within a cargo compartment of the transport unit from. The method also includes determining a temperature within the cargo compartment based on the temperature data. Also, the method includes determining a temperature stratification within the cargo compartment based on the temperature data. Further, the method includes operating the TRS in an active operation mode when the temperature within the cargo compartment is greater than a temperature set point.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.

Abstract: A multi-temperature transport refrigeration system (TRS) for a refrigerated transport unit having an interior space divided into a plurality of zones is disclosed. The multi-temperature TRS includes a thermal accumulator in a first of the plurality of zones. The thermal accumulator includes a phase change material in a first state to absorb thermal energy from the first of the plurality of zones of the interior space during transformation to a second state. The first of the plurality of zones is maintained at a first temperature and a second of the plurality of zones is maintained at a second temperature.

Abstract: A thermal accumulator, a thermal accumulator module, and a method for controlling refrigeration in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) are described. The thermal accumulator module includes a plurality of thermal accumulators. Each of the plurality of thermal accumulators includes a fluid tight housing configured for attachment in an internal space of a refrigerated transport unit. The housing is configured to withstand a load applied when installing the thermal accumulator module in the internal space. An aluminum compatible phase change material is contained within the housing in a first state and configured to absorb thermal energy from the internal space of the refrigerated transport unit during transformation to a second state. One or more faces of the housing include a heat transfer enhancer.

Abstract: A HVAC system for a vehicle that includes a propulsion system, a frame, a passenger compartment, and a door coupled to the frame. The HVAC system includes a refrigeration circuit that selectively controls the temperature of the passenger compartment based on a sensed temperature within the passenger compartment. The refrigeration circuit includes an exterior heat exchanger, a first air moving device coupled to the exterior heat exchanger, an interior heat exchanger, a second air moving device coupled to the interior heat exchanger, and a compressor. The HVAC system also includes a controller that is operable to detect a condition of the vehicle that includes at least one of a position of the door, a location of the vehicle, and a load of the propulsion system. The controller is programmed to adjust the refrigeration circuit in response to the sensed passenger compartment temperature and the detected vehicle condition.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electrically powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) are disclosed. The TRU may include a refrigeration circuit that includes an electrically powered compressor, an evaporator equipped with an electrically powered blower, and a gas cooler equipped with an electrically powered blower. The TRU may also include a control circuit and a power regulator unit. The power regulator unit may be configured to supply variable DC and/or AC outputs to power components of the refrigeration circuit, and the control circuit may be configured to regulate the variable DC and AC outputs of the power regulator unit so as to control the operation of the TRU. The electrically powered TRU may be configured to use R774 as refrigerant.

Abstract: A display for supporting produce generating ethylene gas as the produce ripens includes a surface for supporting the produce, a blower positioned in communication with the produce to move a gas containing at least a portion of the ethylene gas from the produce and an ethylene scrubber positioned in communication with the produce and in a flow path of the gas. The ethylene scrubber removes the at least a portion of the ethylene from the gas. The display does not include a refrigeration system such that a life of the produce is lengthened without use of refrigeration.

Abstract: A display table for supporting produce includes an enclosure, a table top defining an upper surface of the enclosure, a blower, an ethylene scrubber and an outlet. The table top is open to the atmosphere and configured to support the produce, and includes perforations. The blower is positioned in communication with the enclosure to create an underpressure that draws a gas into the enclosure through the perforations. The ethylene scrubber is positioned in communication with the enclosure and in a flow path of the gas, the ethylene scrubber being configured to remove at least a portion of ethylene from at least a portion of the gas. The outlet is located downstream of the ethylene scrubber for returning the gas from the enclosure to the atmosphere.